it was fast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was fast' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever something completed an action or task quickly, for example: "I finished my project in record time—it was fast!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"It was fast".

The New York Times

I think it was fast!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was fast, easy and satisfying.

The New York Times

"To you it was fast".

The New Yorker

It was fast and entertaining.

The Guardian - Books

It was fast, but quick roads.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"It was fast-paced, screaming and yelling," Mrs. Schneider said.

The New York Times

It was faster and. . .

The Washington Post

"And it was faster," Ms. Coyne said.

The New York Times

I just wish it was faster".

The New York Times

"There's an argument to say it was fast-tracked a little bit too soon".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was fast" to describe actions, processes, or events that occurred with notable speed. This phrase is suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

While acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing "it was fast" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated synonyms like "expeditious" or "rapid" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

It was fast functions as a descriptive phrase. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it describing actions, events, and processes characterized by speed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was fast" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the speed of events or actions. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in news and media sources, its register is generally neutral to informal. While versatile, it's best to consider more formal alternatives like "it was rapid" in academic or highly professional contexts. Remember, context is key in choosing the most appropriate wording. The frequency is high, making it a readily recognized and understood expression across a broad audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it happened quickly

Replaces "fast" with "quickly", focusing on the rapidity of the event.

it was rapid

Uses "rapid" instead of "fast", maintaining a formal tone.

it was speedy

Substitutes "fast" with "speedy", offering a slightly more casual tone.

it went by in a flash

Emphasizes the brevity and speed of the event using a more figurative expression.

it occurred swiftly

Replaces "fast" with "swiftly", highlighting the promptness of the occurrence.

it didn't take long

Expresses the short duration of the event in a more conversational manner.

it transpired rapidly

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe the quickness of the event.

it was lightning-fast

Emphasizes extreme speed using a simile.

it was expeditious

Replaces "fast" with a more formal term indicating efficiency and speed.

it was like a shot

Uses a simile to illustrate the quickness.

FAQs

How can I use "it was fast" in a sentence?

Use "it was fast" to describe something that happened quickly, like "The delivery was surprisingly prompt; "it was fast"."

What are some alternatives to "it was fast"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "it was quick", "it was rapid", or "it happened quickly".

Which is correct: "it was fast" or "it was quickly"?

"It was fast" is generally used to describe an event or process, while "it was done quickly" describes how an action was performed. For example, "The race was fast" versus "He finished the race quickly."

What's the difference between "it was fast" and "it was faster"?

"It was fast" describes the speed of something in isolation, while "it was faster" compares the speed to something else. For instance, "The internet connection was fast," versus "The new internet connection was faster than the old one."